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Amelia frowned. ‘I hope she’s warm enough. Poor Edie.’
‘You must have had a fright.’
She nodded and her face paled as she remembered waking up and seeing the handle move.
‘It’s quite safe around here. But I’m glad you locked the door. Imagine what would have happened if Edie had come in. You might have whacked her with a saucepan.’ His eyes settled on the pot at the end of the bed.
Amelia laughed. ‘It was the nearest thing I was able to reach and . . . I was scared. Look, thanks for coming to my rescue. I appreciate it. I didn’t know what else to do. I gather people here don’t just dial 999 at the first sign of trouble?’
His face lit up with a smile. ‘No, they don’t.’ He finished the rest of his tea and stood up to take the mug over to the sink, washing it and stacking it on the rack.
‘You’d better get back to your bed.’ She stifled another yawn. Though if truth be told she didn’t want him to leave. She had been a bit spooked and wondered if she should go and sleep inside the house in Edie’s guest bedroom.
‘Are you going to be all right?’ He looked at her quizzically.
Amelia didn’t want to act like some kind of damsel in distress but her throat constricted and she struggled to get her words out. ‘Mmm.’
‘You don’t sound too sure about that.’
She could hardly beg him to stay. She didn’t want him to take it the wrong way, so she didn’t say anything. Feeling his gaze on her, she managed to mumble that she would be okay.
Fergus walked over to the door and pulled the latch, then settled himself in the chair next to the wood stove, which still gave off a gentle warmth from the night before. ‘I’m going to sit here until you fall asleep. Would that help?’
She smiled gratefully and curled up under the covers. ‘Only if you’re sure?’
‘Yip. I’m too tired to drive now anyway, so this works for me.’
‘Thanks, Fergus,’ she said softly, and turned off the lamp by her bed.
‘Try not to snore.’
She shook her head and closed her eyes, reassured at his presence.
Chapter Twenty
Amelia managed to fall into a brief deep sleep but spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, her head a jumble of thoughts. In her dreams she was being chased down a corridor and ran in to a bright white room. Declan sat waiting, annoyed she hadn’t called him back and demanding an explanation. Amelia tried to talk but she couldn’t get the words out. She turned away and ran and he chased after her. Then she suddenly stumbled and fell down a hole in the ground . . . She sat up with a gasp, her heart racing and tears rolling down her cheeks. As her eyes became accustomed to the dark, she realised where she was.
‘Amelia,’ said Fergus, jumping up from his chair. He sat down on the side of the bed. ‘What is it?’
His voice was gentle and kind, which made her cry even more. Covering her eyes with her hands, she rubbed them and wiped away the tears. When Fergus handed her a tissue from the box on the bedside table, she dabbed at her face.
‘Oh dear, sorry, I must have had a bad dream.’
He reached out to touch her arm. ‘You okay?’
She nodded, hoping he would leave his hand there as it was soothing. ‘I thought you were going to go as soon as I went to sleep.’
‘Why would I want to go home to my own bed when I can sit in a chair all night?’ he said mischievously.
‘You tell me,’ she teased, briefly managing to regain her composure. Her voice cracked with emotion. ‘Thanks for being so nice and for coming to my rescue. Doesn’t say much for me, does it? I’m a snowflake.’
‘Ah, don’t be daft, and you don’t have to thank me. It’s been a bit of a strange night, hasn’t it? I’m sure you weren’t expecting any of this when you came here. I get the feeling you were looking for some peace and quiet.’
That made her smile and she budged across the bed, making space for him. He sat beside her, which felt the most normal thing in the world. She leaned her head into his shoulder and he circled his arm round her. Amelia lifted her head for a moment and looked into his eyes. ‘Thank you for being such a good friend,’ she said, giving a contented sigh. Having him next to her was comforting and reminded her that she wasn’t alone. For the first time in ages, she actually felt supported, and realised how much she had missed human contact. Closing her eyes, she felt his cheek press against her hair and she drifted off to sleep.
A bird gently tweeted outside when she opened her eyes. She could tell from the way the light sliced through the tiny gap in the curtains that it was morning. She sat up and stretched. Fergus had gone. Slipping out of bed, she saw the note on the worktop.Sorry to dash. I need to get to work. I’ll check in later. Fergus.
She turned on the tap and poured herself a glass of water, taking a gulp. What a strange night. She just hoped Edie was okay. She would have a shower and then go over and say hello.
